A single thought resonated in their minds, and nothing could distract them from their focus.

The journey that had brought them here had been long and arduous, marked by painful defeats and unexpected triumphs. Every obstacle clashed against their unwavering determination to win. The adversities tested their strength, but the desire to prevail, to prove their worth, had driven them ever forward. Now, standing at the threshold of the playoffs after the long Siege of Winterfell season, HOH was ready to face their first opponent in this final act—a challenge that would define their current status among the alliances of Westeros.

Winning wasn’t just a desire—it was a necessity. Victory meant cementing their position as one of the strongest alliances in the realm, elevating their legendary name even further, and instilling fear in the hearts of their rivals at its mere mention. Farewells and losses weren’t an excuse for a group like theirs, bound by the duty to improve season after season. Surpassing the second phase they had reached the previous year was the bare minimum; it was a milestone meant to be eclipsed.

Neik, standing resolute on the battlefield, was more determined than ever. He was confident that, together with his companions, they would secure the advancement and ensure that today’s match wouldn’t mark the end of their journey.

However, today, a formidable foe would test their mettle. Every alliance that had reached this stage of the competition was deadly, ranking among the top 12 of the regular season. No match would come easy.

The rival standing in HOH’s path was...

NocnaStraz

The legendary group that would make life difficult for Neik and his companions was NoS!

The alliance, led by formidable members like TinTin, Wisnia, and SEB45, had endured their own treacherous journey. Yet, by uniting their strengths and maintaining composure and resolve until the very last moment, they had secured their place in the final phase of the competition. Today, they stood before HOH with the firm conviction that they could win this battle—and they wouldn’t give up as long as they had the strength to push forward!

An arduous encounter awaited both factions. The tension mounted with each passing minute as the warriors stood ready on the battlefield, feeling the weight of the imminent clash. Breaking the silence, punctuated only by the cawing of crows and the rumble of thunder across the gray and ominous sky, was Grombold:

“The battle ahead will be no easy feat. Our opponents have repeatedly proven their worth throughout the season to make it this far. Let us give it our all and emerge victorious in this first playoff match!”

The wise leader’s words echoed among his companions, instilling courage and banishing any fear of defeat.

Neik’s steely gaze fixed on the horizon, leaving no room for doubt—he needed no words to fuel his determination. Courage was not something he lacked. Eager for the fight to begin, he was ready to prove his worth. Clutching his spear tightly, he felt the first drops of rain begin to fall upon his helmet. The darkening sky soon gave way to a violent storm. The relentless, torrential rain seemed to mirror the intensity of the challenge awaiting both HOH and NoS: a ruthless and unyielding conflict.

Neik raised his head, prepared to face not only the storm raging above but also the one about to erupt on the battlefield.

The start of the encounter was exactly as expected: brutal.

The hour-long clash began with a ferocity that set the tone for the battle. Under the command of their leaders, members of both alliances divided into relatively balanced formations, heading toward Armory and Hotsprings. On the western side of the battlefield, where Urielki led his team toward the capture of Armory, the conflict erupted immediately. HOH held a slight numerical advantage against NoS, a factor that galvanized their faction, driving them to charge at their rivals with full force.

The situation at Hotsprings was markedly different. There, NoS had a clear numerical superiority, and the battle promised to be an uphill struggle for the HOH team led by Ak0086. In the early phases of the skirmish, the advantage was firmly with TinTin's faction, but the final outcome was far from decided. Grombold’s group was only minutes away from arriving, a reinforcement that could decisively shift the tide of the engagement.

Meanwhile, at Armory, HOH steadily gained ground, forcing their opponents to retreat step by step. After a fierce struggle, they finally managed to seize control of the post’s coveted walls.

“Well done,” exclaimed Urielki, surveying the newly captured position. “Let’s not give them time to mount an unexpected counterattack. Push toward Greyjoy Stronghold 1 to keep the pressure on,” the leader added, fully aware of how crucial it was not to give their rivals time to regroup.

In the first phase of the sixty-minute battle, Hotsprings also fell into the hands of Grombold and his companions.

The arrival of the leader to support his allies on the eastern side of the battlefield was a decisive factor. His presence nullified the numerical superiority that TinTin’s faction had enjoyed up to that point. After a prolonged clash, HOH managed to force their rivals into retreat. With control over both of the most strategic positions, HOH advanced southward, targeting the nearby Winterfell bases, now held by NoS, who were reorganizing their forces there.

The battle for Neik and his companions was shaping up to be more thrilling than ever!

With Armory and Hotsprings now under control, HOH wasted no time and decisively set their sights on Greyjoy Stronghold 1. The objective was clear: maintain pressure on NoS and disrupt any attempt to reorganize their forces near the Winterfell bases.

However, TinTin and his group had no intention of giving up ground easily. Their well-prepared and determined forces mounted a fierce resistance. The strongholds became the scene of a brutal clash, where every meter gained seemed to require superhuman effort. The simultaneous push by the groups led by Urielki and Ak0086 placed NoS in constant difficulty, struggling to defend their positions. By coordinating well-timed attacks, HOH managed to pressure multiple fronts, forcing TinTin and his allies to scatter their forces in an attempt to halt the advance.

Despite the intense opposition at Greyjoy Stronghold 1, the coordination and tireless commitment of Urielki’s group made the difference. After a long and ferocious confrontation, HOH broke through the enemy lines and secured control of the post. Driving the rivals away from a base so close to Winterfell eased the pressure on the member tasked with delivering the spoils, as NoS would now need to first deal with Neik and his team to reach them. The opposing alliance was increasingly pushed onto the defensive.

“We’re doing great!” Neik exclaimed after the post’s capture.

“Let’s not get carried away,” Urielki replied. “The battle is far from over.”

The capture of the first loot was a triumph for HOH!

Thanks to the excellent work done at the bases, the team managed to keep their rivals occupied, repelling their attempts to launch an offensive on Winterfell. This allowed Tardis to seize the first loot of the match and safely transport it to one of the alliance-controlled bases.

Everything seemed to be going perfectly for Grombold’s alliance. After securing the loot, the leader declared with determination: "Let’s keep pushing our opponents right up to their base." He was well aware of the critical situation his enemies were in and, like a wolf sensing its prey, he had no intention of wasting the advantage gained. Grombold knew that any hesitation could give NoS the opportunity for an unexpected move, and he was not willing to take that risk.

After the capture of the loot by HOH, Neik and his companions, under the leadership of their commanders, pushed even deeper, reaching a rival settlement at Greyjoy Outpost 1. However, a sudden counteroffensive by the enemies, aimed at the recently captured objective under Urielki’s command, forced Neik and his allies to quickly retreat and defend the stronghold, as it could not fall—it would have dealt a significant blow to their morale.

At the beginning of the renewed battle at Greyjoy Stronghold 1, it was shaping up to be long and intense. The continuous flow of reinforcements from both sides testified to each side’s determination to not give up ground. Every assault was immediately countered, turning the battlefield into a relentless struggle. With the teleportation advantage gained through the control of the key bases on the battlefield, HOH members seemed to be the quickest to return after setbacks in the combat. This gave Neik and his companions a significant advantage despite the proximity of the outpost to NoS’s base.

The long battle reached a critical point when reinforcements led by Grombold arrived to support them. With this support, the group led by Urielki for HOH prevailed. Thanks to their coordination and relentless determination, they managed to maintain control of Greyjoy Stronghold 1, consolidating their position.

However, the advantage gained up to this point did not allow the HOH members to relax. Their rivals had proven time and time again that they would not give up in the face of adversity, and they would surely fight until the very last second. And indeed...

Using the previous battle as bait, NoS launched rapid assaults!

Under the command of their leadership, the rival members attacked the walls of two strongholds, eventually making their way to Armory, capturing it within moments due to the low presence of HOH fighters preoccupied with defending Greyjoy Stronghold 1. Despite the score disadvantage, TinTin, SEB45, and their companions showed they had no intention of surrendering until the very last, reopening the outcome of a match that seemed already decided. A brilliant strategy executed by NoS!

"They were really quick to catch us off guard," Neik said, visibly shaken. He had thought the match was nearly over.

"We still have control near Winterfell. The key is to hold it so Tardis can continue bringing the loot safely to our bases," Grombold said calmly and decisively, before adding, "Our first goal is to take control of Armory to prevent them from taking us from behind by coming from the West."

With that, a much larger group than before set out for the conquest, intending to close any hopes of a comeback from the enemy!

Upon Neik and his companions' arrival, a brutal battle broke out near Armory.

The need to respond to the blows received triggered an unprecedented ferocity among the members of HOH. Separated and engaged in the conquest of bases, NoS members showed their determination in defending Armory. However, the challenge proved difficult for them, as the forces directed toward the post far outnumbered theirs. The attack, led by Urielki, was devastating: lethal and effective, it drove the rivals back and allowed HOH to capture the walls.

Afterward, the group headed towards Greyjoy Stronghold 1. But this time, things were expected to be more difficult. The rivals of NoS, having withdrawn from the previous position, had gathered with new reinforcements, determined not to give up an inch.

The ensuing battle was incredibly tough for both factions, each wanting control of the stronghold. But it was Neik's group that emerged victorious. The proximity to Winterfell gave them a crucial advantage, with reinforcements arriving from multiple directions, cornering the defenders of NoS, who were forced to retreat. It was a severe blow to their morale.

Now, the final objective was Greyjoy Outpost 1, NoS’s last hope of turning the match around. For HOH, it represented the final step to secure the victory. Capturing it would have been a crushing blow to the morale of the rivals. The attack launched by Neik and his companions was unstoppable. The defenders, weary and overwhelmed by a more motivated and determined force, had no choice but to give way minute by minute. Even the last post fell into HOH's hands, marking the decisive victory.

"What an incredible battle," Neik said. He acknowledged the rivals' efforts, recognizing that for a few moments, it seemed like they might turn the tide of the match.

With victory now secured, the leader of HOH ordered all fighters stationed on the battlefield to be recalled. "We have the 80k points that will guarantee us the victory. As a gesture to congratulate them for their efforts, let's make sure they get some rewards too," said Grombold.

The victory of the first match of the Playoffs went to... HOH!

MVP's

The best fighters of the match were: Tardis for HOH and SEB45 for NoS.The two members did an incredible job for their alliance. Tardis achieved an astounding number of eliminations despite being the one tasked with transporting the loot. Facing him was practically suicide for the opposing team. SEB45 was one of the last to surrender, putting on an exceptional performance, although it wasn't enough to secure a favorable result today.

A weary but satisfied Neik finally had time to catch his breath after the match. He fought valiantly for the name of HOH, battling the rivals until the very last second of the dispute, or rather, until it was necessary to secure the victory today. "We did an exceptional job today, despite being down two members on the battlefield," began Grombold at the end of the match. "Our rivals proved to be worthy opponents, showing why they were in the final stage of the Siege of Winterfell, but by putting in maximum effort, we were able to claim the victory. Let's use every second to recover, because in a few days, we will face our second match, and it will surely be a very tough one!" warned the leader before leaving the battlefield to return to their kingdom.

Thus, the match ended with a victory for HOH over NoS. The two alliances put on a spectacular battle, with the outcome uncertain for large portions of the fight. It took great energy from Neik and his companions to claim the final victory. Will they be able to recover and reach their full strength for the second match of the finals? Who will their formidable opponent be? We'll find out together!